The narrowed eyes revealed a drowsy gaze.

A blank face.

And words he could never have expected.

...Get lost.

The self-proclaimed One Sword of Dongpyeong looked at Cheonyeong with an expression as if he had misheard.

"Um... pardon?"

He asks again with a foolish expression.

It seems he doesn't understand.

In fact, the answer just now was a very rude act towards a guest who had come to visit.

Also, it is true that the Tang Family's estate needs people.

Although the raw recruits raised through the Hoyeon Brigade are important, experienced warriors who have been through the thick of the martial world are needed.

So-called experienced workers.

But no matter what, it's not a punk who calls himself the One Sword of Dongpyeong.

No matter how much you have to give preferential treatment to experienced workers, what kind of courtesy is there for a punk whose intention is clearly to be a freeloader?

In this case, you have to be harsh.

Otherwise, he will keep trying to stick around.

"I said get lost."

"...Pardon?"

"Can't you hear? The One Sword of Dongpyeong or whatever, the Tang Family's estate doesn't accept retainers separately, so just leave."

At Cheonyeong's words, Jangpyo's face turned red, as if indigo water was spreading on a cloth.

Even Yeonwoo, who was next to him, was flustered by Cheonyeong's words and couldn't sit still.

"F-Family Head. You're being too harsh..."

"Go get some salt."

"Pardon?"

"Sprinkle it. So that bad luck can't even set foot in here."

"Pardon?"

"Bring rock salt."

"...Um... yes."

At Cheonyeong's words, Yeonwoo glanced at Jangpyo, whose face was about to explode, and reluctantly answered.

But.

"What did you say? Get lost?"

It seemed the shock was severe.

Towards Jangpyo, who asked again, Cheonyeong now just nodded his head without a word.

"Have you ever seen such an insolent person! How can you say such things to a guest who has come to visit! Now I see that the 'gyo' in 'gyoryong' was the 'gyo' for 'cunning'!!"

"..."

At those words, the area around Cheonyeong's drowsy eyes twitched greatly.

What? Gyo... ryong?

Cunning... what?

Cheonyeong, who had once been called by the name 'Sagyo' (Snake Cunning), hated the character 'gyo' (cunning) very much.

This punk and that punk.

Where on earth did he look cunning?

It seemed he couldn't just kick this punk out.

But for the sake of the Family Head's face, he couldn't get into a scuffle with a punk who was the One Sword of Dongpyeong...

Cheonyeong, who had let out a deep sigh, glanced at Yeonwoo.

Perfect. I'll test this punk's skills as well.

Since the hellish training for the Tangs began, these guys also seem to have been training quite hard lately.

"Yeonwoo."

"Yes! Family Head."

"Bring the salt later, it seems you'll have to use some strength."

"Pardon? Strength?"

Although Yeonwoo blinked his eyes in confusion, Cheonyeong looked at the One Sword of Dongpyeong.

"You, did you say your name was Jangpyeong?"

"It's Jangpyo! Don't call someone else's name carelessly!"

...He himself.

"I'll give you a chance."

"What?"

"If you win a fight against this guy, I'll hire you. Not as a retainer, but officially as a warrior of the Tang family."

"...Ugh?"

Although it was sudden, Jangpyo showed interest, as if it was tempting.

"How about it? It seems like a good opportunity... to prove how useful you are."

"Hmm."

Jangpyo pondered.

He was probably weighing it in his head.

"This guy was a vagrant until recently. In fact, his abilities are not that outstanding. The only martial art he has learned is the Six Harmonies Fist."

"Six Harmonies?"

"Yes. But if you just defeat this guy, I'll pay you ten nyang of silver a month. How about it?"

"T-ten nyang of silver?"

Jangpyo's eyes widened.

Since he was a punk who had come to freeload, it would be strange if his heart didn't stir at the sound of ten nyang.

Then the answer is, of course.

"Alright!"

As expected.

"Hah, my goodness, for me, who has obtained the martial name of the One Sword of Dongpyeong, to spar with a gatekeeper who has barely learned the Six Harmonies is not in line with reason... but if this is the Family Head's test, I will specially comply."

Cheonyeong smirked at Jangpyo's words.

What a load of bullshit.

A punk who was angry just a moment ago for being ignored.

"Then I'll take that as your permission, Yeonwoo!"

"Yes!"

"Do your best."

"Pardon?"

"Even if it doesn't seem like much, it's a spar with the honor of the Tang Family's estate on the line."

"That's..."

"If you get hit even once... you might be found as a corpse tomorrow morning."

Yeonwoo's expression turned pale as Cheonyeong turned his head and smiled brightly.

A corpse...

Such a terrifying... word might become true.

Wasn't the Family Head a person who was more than capable of doing so?

"What are you doing? The guest is waiting."

"Yes, sir!"

Yeonwoo answered forcefully at Cheonyeong's words, who was sitting on the foundation stone next to the main gate, in a spot where the warm sunlight fell, and stepped in front of Jangpyo.

At this moment, if I can't beat this person... I will become a corpse tomorrow.

In Yeonwoo's eyes, who had suddenly been placed on the boundary of life and death, a venomous spirit began to bloom.

At that sight, a wide smile spread on Cheonyeong's lips.

Yeonwoo's stance.

The advancing footsteps and the gaze that seemed to hold a slight tension.

Quite something.

It was clear that the training so far had not been easy.

Perhaps, as Secretary Guhwang had said, making him a martial arts academy instructor didn't seem like a bad choice.

"I am Yeonwoo, a warrior belonging to the Inner Hall of the Tang Family's estate."

Yeonwoo, before the spar, greeted Jangpyo with courtesy.

"I am Jangpyo, the One Sword of Dongpyeong."

"I look forward to it."

"A polite friend. You seem like a flower that has just begun to bloom, so I cannot break you carelessly. I will hold back my hand."

Yeonwoo and Jangpyo faced each other and took their stances in front of Cheonyeong.

Yeonwoo's stance was, to anyone's eyes, the Six Harmonies Fist.

And Jangpyo... what's that again?

It was absurd.

His center wasn't even properly set...

Hah, well, what do you expect from a freeloader?

"Now, begin!"

With Cheonyeong's voice, Jangpyo closed the distance with Yeonwoo and rushed in roughly.

Why did he say he would hold back?

"Heup!"

Yeonwoo seemed flustered by the sudden attack.

The first spar.

It was natural to be nervous even if he tried not to.

The movements of his hands and feet were awkward, and his movements were also slow.

"Oh! A fight!"

"Isn't that Yeonwoo?"

"The Family Head is here too."

At the commotion outside the main gate, the interest of those in the Tang Family's estate also began to gather.

The Hoyeon Brigade warriors who were passing by came out, greeted Cheonyeong, and stayed in a corner inside the main gate to watch.

"It's Senior Brother Yeonwoo! It's Inner Hall Senior Brother Yeonwoo!"

The second-generation trainees of the Hoyeon Brigade peeked their heads over the wall.

As an audience formed, Yeonwoo's movements became even more timid.

"...Still, quite something."

Although he seemed to be unable to respond properly, being swayed by Jangpyo's rough attacks, Yeonwoo's footwork looked quite solid.

His steps on the ground were stable, so his center did not waver.

Of course, there was no way a punk like Jangpyo would know that.

If he was a punk who knew, he would have already been chosen as a retainer.

"Keuhaha! Punk! Did you see! I am the One Sword of Dongpyeong."

As he was pushing fiercely, it seemed he thought he had seized victory.

But.

"It'll be over in three or four moves."

Cheonyeong smirked.

In Yeonwoo's eyes, who had become accustomed to the attacks, no more bewilderment could be found.

His center was set right, and the movements of his hands and feet became neat.

Teok! Bba-bak!

He began to lead the spar, blocking Jangpyo's attacks concisely.

And then.

Pa-ang!

Yeonwoo, who had retreated to avoid a fist, stepped forward with his foot and quickly dug into Jangpyo's arms.

"Eok!"

The surprised Jangpyo extends his fist without a chance to retreat.

Jjeo-eok!

"Keo-eok!"

Jangpyo's upper body bends forward at the fist that has dug deep into his abdomen.

A chance.

In that situation, he should immediately grab his head and knee... knee...

"...Huh?"

Cheonyeong's face, who had been expecting a sure finish, was full of bewilderment.

"Hoo..."

Yeonwoo jumped back and caught his breath.

Of course, Jangpyo, who had been hit in the abdomen, couldn't overcome the pain and knelt down, gagging and vomiting.

The match... was over.

It was Yeonwoo's victory.

"Wow! Yeonwoo won!"

"Senior Brother won!"

Cheers erupted from among the audience.

The proud Yeonwoo, realizing that the spar would not continue, smiled broadly at Cheonyeong.

"Family Head! I won."

But.

"F-Family Head?"

Seeing Cheonyeong's face contorted viciously, Yeonwoo flinched and watched his expression.

The members of the Tang Family's estate who were watching were the same.

Cheonyeong's brow was furrowed so much that his eyebrows formed an inverted V, and his expression was full of displeasure.

Why on earth?

Although he seemed to be on the defensive at first, didn't he win?

And it was just one punch.

He had thought he would naturally be praised, but why was the Family Head's expression so vicious, as if he would kill him right away?

"You foolish punk!"

"...Pardon?"

Yeonwoo, who had been expecting praise, shrank his neck at Cheonyeong's thunderous shout.

What on earth did he do wrong?

"It's far, it's far. It's very far."

What was far again?

Was it because he had been swayed by the opponent's attacks at first?

All sorts of imaginations filled Yeonwoo's head.

He couldn't understand the reason for his anger at all.

The members of the Tang Family's estate who were watching, just like Yeonwoo, held their breath and only watched Cheonyeong's expression.

"Family Head! Please give me your teachings. I was not thoughtful enough and did not understand your will."

Yeonwoo placed both hands on the ground, bowed his head, and shouted.

The attention of the Tang Family's estate was focused on Cheonyeong.

Cheonyeong, who was looking down at Yeonwoo's round back of the head, let out a deep sigh and said.

"If you've landed a punch, you should finish it properly. Why did you retreat!?"

"Pardon?"

"You should have either uppercut him or kneed him there!"

"...Pardon?"

His head went blank.

Then the reason for his anger was...

"You lacking punk! Your training will be doubled until your lack is corrected! Also, the weight of your leggings and vest will also be doubled. Do you understand?"

"D-doubled?"

"What? Why? Is there a problem?"

"N-no, sir."

As Cheonyeong's eyes even flashed, Yeonwoo hurriedly bowed his head.

And then.

"In addition, from now on, come and see me at the beginning of every hour of the dog after your duties are over."

"...Pardon?"

"You lacking punk, as the Family Head, how can I just watch your lack! I will personally train you through sparring! Do you understand!"

Yeonwoo, who had been staring blankly at Cheonyeong's words, slammed his forehead on the ground and shouted with all his might.

"I understand! Family Head! I will be more diligent."

"Tsk... you lacking punk."

After Cheonyeong had turned away with a voice full of displeasure, Yeonwoo couldn't control his trembling heart.

Double the training? Double the weight?

What did that matter?

The top master of the Tang Family's estate, and now the Family Head who was beginning to be known in Sichuan, was going to teach him personally...

The joy was tenfold. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

And the members of the Tang Family's estate who were watching that sight looked at Yeonwoo with eyes full of envy.

And they vowed with venomous eyes.

If they too were given a chance to spar like Yeonwoo, they would push on as soon as they seized victory and definitely see it to the end...

"What are you doing? Close the gate! Sprinkle salt!"

"Yes! Family Head!"

Yeonwoo answered forcefully at Cheonyeong's shout from inside.

Chwaak!

Salt scattered.

Kkiiik, kung!

The gate of the Tang Family's estate closed.

And then.

"I am the Dongpyeong... damn it... but I'm experienced..."

The One Sword of Dongpyeong, Jangpyo, who was left outside and had been showered with salt that was sprinkled like snow, drooped his shoulders and returned lonely.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World